MCE

Hi February Bandsters! I am so glad I found this thread because we all seem to be at the same or similar points in our journeys. I am down 40 pounds as of yesterday -- fighting for every pound, but excited that this WILL be the last time I have to see those 40 pounds. Anyway, just thought I would check in and keep the thread alive. It's so helpful to hear others are in the same boat.

Hi Cassandra! Don't be too discouraged. I have been at a plateau and finally after my 4th fill last week I have picked up momentum. I can't believe I am 4 months post op already! I have lost an average of 10 pounds a month and it has been so frustrating. I lose weight in a weird way (or seems weird to me) -- I stay at one weight for weeks then will drop 5 pounds. It took until this 4th fill to finally feel like I am in or nearing the green zone. But it has been HELL getting here -- as they said it would be. Just hang in there!

I had a random couple of days of heartburn and realized somehow that it was possibly the allergy medication I take right before I go to bed. I went to my surgeon first just to make sure and all was well (but very glad I came and told me to call any time something doesn't seem right). I stopped taking the pill right bed, switched meds to a smaller pill and it went away. I agree with line-dancer. Call and tell them you have started having issues out of the blue and see if they can fit you in. Good luck!

This is my first time to jump on this trail. I had my surgery Feb 28 at True Results with Dr. Reilly. I have had 2 fills and am in true bandster hell right now -- not yet in the green zone. I have lost 30 pounds, but I wish it were more. The motivation of the pre-op diet, the surgery swelling dropped the first pounds. Now I have to kick it into gear. Chas -- just want you to know I am right there with you. It is no fun, but I am trying to remain optimistic that I will be in the green zone soon. Thank goodness for True Results and the one year follow up...

Hi Terri! I am at TR in Houston. If I were you, I would call and tell them you are not being able to keep food down and get an appointment ASAP. Have they done a barium swallow x-ray when you had your fills? Print out this trail or write down every one of your questions. If the NP or PA that you see doesn't answer your questions, you need to speak up. I was afraid to "tell the truth" about having thrown up a couple of times for fear that they wouldn't give me a fill. But, I did and I know why -- I ate white bread. Anyway, I got a fill and I feel like I am getting closer to green (even though I only have 2.6cc in my 10cc band). Here are a couple of things I have learned in the last week -- solid food -- not soup -- makes me stay full MUCH longer. I am only 8 weeks post op, but I have almost lost 30 pounds (20 since surgery day). Talk to the NP/PA. Some foods you just won't be able to tolerate. Until last week, I couldn't tolerate raw carrots, but that seems better (I may be better at chewing...). Hope this helps! Most important is call and get them to get you in. The NP told me any time I was having symptoms such as you describe during the week to call and get them to fit you in.

I am so glad to read your posts. I am struggling right now because I have been sitting at the same weight for weeks. It's all about me not making great choices and I know that, but I am still frustrated. I think -- regardless of how much you know it isn't true -- you think that by going through the effort of having surgery, the pounds should magically wash away. I so wish that was true. But I know it isn't and I will beat it. Anyway, just wanted to say thanks for your blogs :-)

I have only been on my journey since Feb 28 and I think if you are on this site for the purposes that are intended these posts are not necessary. If you are thinking WLS gosh I hope you have really researched it because this is not an easy ride, but I am so happy with my choice to go this route. I wish it was faster to get to the green but I have lost almost 30 pounds in less than 2 months which is pretty amazing. And I am healthy. Healthier than I have been in years. To each his own, but for my purposes, this site is for encouragement, not for negativity. Just saying.

I have a 10cc band and had a hiatal hernia repair when the band was placed. Two days before my first fill I had horrible heartburn. I told the doc and she wanted to be very conservative with my fill. I have stopped taking Allegra in pill form and now take my prilosec at night and the combo seems to help. In any event, I only have 1.2 cc in my band to let my esophogus heal from the heartburn (presumably caused by the Allegra getting stuck... I wasn't splitting or crushing and think it was the culprit). So these next three weeks before my next appt will be nothing short of torture because I feel no restriction at all. I have been trying to stick to portions, but I don't think I am going to see any scale movement for a few months. I feel your pain. But so glad there are so many veterans on here to help motivate us through the newbie period.

Age 34 Banded 2-28-13 Weight pre op 295 Weight now 272 Goal weight 150 I count it all! Down 23 pounds since first visit/Preop.

Right on! I purposefully look around here for the POSITIVE posts and try to avoid the negative. I haven't told too many people about the band, but I reached out to a friend who has been banded 3 years and she is so positive. Gosh I hope that doesn't change. And, she (my friend) has lost over 100 pounds. So there :-)

So the temp dropped a good 20 degrees over the last 48 hours and the last two mornings, I have woken up with severe reflux. Could it be because of the colder weather? I've been banded since Feb 28. Also, suggestions for calming the burn? I am already on 40mg Prilosec a day, so not sure there is much more I can do medicinally.

I wanted to respond because I think you have done great in 1 year. I am 1 month in and just going for my first visit next Wednesday. I found you looking at Dr. Reilly's profile. Hang in there. You have done a great job. You might just need a plateau buster like others have said.

I had to share this link with the bandster community: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/health/workout-at-work/ I have done 2 reps of this already today and have it printed to keep at my desk. I have a 6 year old daughter, work full time at a desk job and struggle in a large city with lots of traffic to get to the gym. I am so excited about having this little workout. I broke a sweat but wasn't so sweaty I couldn't cool down :-) Enjoy!

Anyone a banister and a fully raw juicer/organic food nut? I decided to take the plunge with juicing so I could make my own no sugar added juice during liquid only stage and so I can drink my micronutrients. Thoughts? I just came home for an even -- tons of nasty food all over. Made collard green chips from here: Cereal or anything sweet I could get my hands on. :-)

90% sure it's gas. Gas X is your friend. Other than that, just keep moving, but take it easy!!!

I think 33 pounds is great since January. It seems small, but I was just telling my hubby last night that one of the 1000 reasons I went with the band was because of a slow and steady weight loss which is healthier to your body and more sustainable. I was banded Feb 28, and from all my reading on here, we are living bandster hell until we hit the green zone. Keep doing what you are doing and keep regular visits with your doctor! HTH!

I have always had problems down there, so it was no surprise how blocked up I was after surgery. I feel blessed I read about the Miralax on here. It has made my life so much better. And, I am amazed because I have used other laxatives in the past and only had cramping and pain. Miralax works well. Switching to fiber supplement has me gassy, but helping with the regularity. So glad we are all so honest with each other on here

Awesome and inspirational. Thanks for posting :-) 3 weeks in and 24 pounds down. I am so excited I finally took the plunge to take control of my overeating. I can already tell that this is how the band is going to work for me. Hugs!

How are all your incisions? 4 of mine are almost gone 2 weeks post op and one is icky and abscessed. Today is first day of that issue and I called doctor and surgery center. You need to check with doc ASAP. Probably an infection. I am not having lethargy and stuff but those things you describe are signs of infection. You are couple months post-op, right?

Carrie -- this forum helped me so much. I am 2 weeks post op and am so glad I was good on Preop. It had me ready for life postop. You can do it!!!!

I have had the same issue. It was really bad on Day 3 and 4. I am actually back to work and find being upright has helped make it go away. Also Gas X chewable seems to help. On evening of Day 4 I was crying b/c of this pain and my husband helped me realize I had not taken any pain meds. Major surgery -- you prob still need some pain meds. I took them -- I am only on tylenol with codeine so not as bad side effects as Oxy -- it made a big difference and I was able to rest.

I think the hardest thing to learn will be that growling no longer equals hungry!

Mine does that too! Just banded last Thursday. :-)

I am sitting at the surgery center waiting to be called back wishing I had a Xanax! So ready for this to be done! :-)

I'm TR Houston getting banded tomorrow morning by Dr. Reilly! When and where is the support group?